Chapter 38: Reassessing Zhao Ziyang: Refusing to Return to Power Without Redressing “June Fourth,” Dying in Anguish Under House Arrest

Zhao Ziyang (1919–2005) was a native of Huaxian County, Henan Province. He previously served as First Secretary of Guangdong Province and First Secretary of Sichuan Province. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a saying circulated among the people: “If you want rice, look to Wan Li; if you want grain, look to Ziyang.” He was well known for resolving China’s food shortages through the rural policy of the household responsibility system.

During the “June Fourth” incident, on May 17, 1989, Deng Xiaoping decided to remove Zhao Ziyang from office. The origin of this decision lay in Zhao Ziyang’s meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on the evening of May 16, during which Zhao said: “Deng Xiaoping is of crucial importance to our Party. The Party needs his guidance and experience; it needs Comrade Deng Xiaoping at the helm.”

These remarks were passed by the faction advocating “suppression” to Deng Xiaoping, accusing Zhao of having “betrayed” him. Deng Xiaoping believed this accusation and became furious, deciding to dismiss Zhao Ziyang. Deng Xiaoping also had his daughter Deng Nan call Zhao and scold him, saying: “Zhao Ziyang, you really have no conscience. How has my father treated you? And now you’ve sold him out. Where has your conscience gone?”

Zhao Ziyang was completely misunderstood by Deng Xiaoping. Other than ordering martial law, the only option left to him was resignation. Zhao Ziyang could not carry out martial law, so he could only resign.

After the June Fourth suppression, in the fourth quarter of 1990, Deng Xiaoping sent someone to convey a message to Zhao Ziyang, asking him to take a clear position, support the Central Committee’s decision, and expressing hope that he would return to work. What position he would hold could be discussed, including that of General Secretary. Zhao Ziyang replied: “If June Fourth has no clear conclusion, I cannot return to work; secondly, I will not play a secondary role or hold an empty title.”

In the fourth quarter of 1991, Deng Xiaoping sent someone a second time to see Zhao Ziyang, saying: “There is no problem with you serving as General Secretary or Premier. But Comrade Xiaoping hopes you will make a statement on June Fourth and support the Central Committee’s decision.” Zhao Ziyang responded: “It seems that June Fourth is an issue that cannot be openly discussed. Please convey to Comrade Xiaoping that if the Central Committee does not have a clear position on June Fourth, I will not return to work.” After that, Deng Xiaoping never sent anyone again.

From Deng Xiaoping’s two attempts to contact Zhao Ziyang, it can be seen that Deng harbored a sense of guilt and remorse, realizing that the mistake was extremely grave, comparable to launching the war against Vietnam. The Vietnam War mobilized 300,000 troops; June Fourth mobilized 250,000 troops and resulted in more than 30,000 deaths—more than in the Vietnam War. Deng attempted to atone by bringing Zhao Ziyang back to work. Secondly, Deng was dissatisfied with Jiang Zemin’s performance and felt that Zhao was better than Jiang.

However, the June Fourth suppression was a major struggle between justice and evil. Deng Xiaoping sought to gloss it over, while Zhao Ziyang chose to stand firm without hesitation. Even now, though both men have passed away (Deng Xiaoping died in 1997; Zhao Ziyang died in 2005 after 16 years under house arrest), the June Fourth suppression remains unresolved and will inevitably receive a final verdict. Zhao Ziyang will be judged to stand on the side of justice and will be embraced by the people. Deng Xiaoping will forever be condemned by history.